Unsure about recent install of Cobra Jet Ultimate Fins and Fangs..

[Rickala]

I recently installed the ultimate package with all of the additions.

I have tried them configured to go up at speed,stay down at speed, and everything in between. So, there isn't a configuration deficit, and my nozzles are perfectly straight and level. It has been confirmed that the fins are installed correctly.

The main difference I am feeling, is substantially more steering resistance at lower to moderate speeds. Around 7-8000 rpm, is like steering a truck.. Beyond that, when I am well on plane, the steering is much easier, and feels like the fins are not in play at all. With all of that additional effort needed to steer, I am concerned that I am putting a lot of stress on the nozzle pivots.. Not that they would break, but surely, they might wear faster, causing additional play in the pivot. Also, the steering gear and cables are being loaded more as well.

I still have to use the individual throttles to dock and load the boat on my trailer. I don't notice any significant difference in terms of steering ability at idle, and off idle speeds. It seems as though using the individual throttles are the key to low speed maneuvering. Without throttle, I do have a very delayed, very slight steering assist, that occurs several seconds after the steering input, since the install.

I know this is a well made, well thought out product, and that a lot of folks here have them, and like them. So, what could I be doing wrong, or was I just expecting too much?

 

[Bruce]

Could you post pictures of the fins and fangs installed? I have not tried them but understand the fangs should make steering easier.

 

[Rickala]

Could you post pictures of the fins and fangs installed? I have not tried them but understand the fangs should make steering easier.

That was my understanding as well..

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I recently installed the ultimate package with all of the additions.

I have tried them configured to go up at speed,stay down at speed, and everything in between. So, there isn't a configuration deficit, and my nozzles are perfectly straight and level. It has been confirmed that the fins are installed correctly.

The main difference I am feeling, is substantially more steering resistance at lower to moderate speeds. Around 7-8000 rpm, is like steering a truck.. Beyond that, when I am well on plane, the steering is much easier, and feels like the fins are not in play at all. With all of that additional effort needed to steer, I am concerned that I am putting a lot of stress on the nozzle pivots.. Not that they would break, but surely, they might wear faster, causing additional play in the pivot. Also, the steering gear and cables are being loaded more as well.

I still have to use the individual throttles to dock and load the boat on my trailer. I don't notice any significant difference in terms of steering ability at idle, and off idle speeds. It seems as though using the individual throttles are the key to low speed maneuvering. Without throttle, I do have a very delayed, very slight steering assist, that occurs several seconds after the steering input, since the install.

I know this is a well made, well thought out product, and that a lot of folks here have them, and like them. So, what could I be doing wrong, or was I just expecting too much?

Before your installation, could you turn the wheel with one finger?
You should be able to turn the nozzles by grabbing them and moving them side to side.

I see that you have a 2007, there's a great possibility you need new steering cables. They get old and rusty and will cause major resistance in the wheel.

 

[Rickala]

All the cables are new. No resistance..As a matter of fact, I waited until I replaced them and took it back on the water before posting today.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

So, when on the trailer you have zero resistance?

The Ultimates do add some feeling to the wheel... That's kind of the idea.

Does she track straight when you let go of the wheel while going straight?

 

[Rickala]

So, when on the trailer you have zero resistance?

The Ultimates do add some feeling to the wheel... That's kind of the idea.

Does she track straight when you let go of the wheel while going straight?

Yes, zero resistance. Yes tracks straight, as long as there is no significant wind or cross current.

 

[swatski]

I recently installed the ultimate package with all of the additions.

I have tried them configured to go up at speed,stay down at speed, and everything in between. So, there isn't a configuration deficit, and my nozzles are perfectly straight and level. It has been confirmed that the fins are installed correctly.

The main difference I am feeling, is substantially more steering resistance at lower to moderate speeds. Around 7-8000 rpm, is like steering a truck.. Beyond that, when I am well on plane, the steering is much easier, and feels like the fins are not in play at all. With all of that additional effort needed to steer, I am concerned that I am putting a lot of stress on the nozzle pivots.. Not that they would break, but surely, they might wear faster, causing additional play in the pivot. Also, the steering gear and cables are being loaded more as well.

I still have to use the individual throttles to dock and load the boat on my trailer. I don't notice any significant difference in terms of steering ability at idle, and off idle speeds. It seems as though using the individual throttles are the key to low speed maneuvering. Without throttle, I do have a very delayed, very slight steering assist, that occurs several seconds after the steering input, since the install.

I know this is a well made, well thought out product, and that a lot of folks here have them, and like them. So, what could I be doing wrong, or was I just expecting too much?

So, I wonder what the steering feedback is at 7-8000 with the fins in the "up at speed" settings. Fins should be out of the picture really in that scenario, so that would be your baseline. Then, when you change the fins to "down at speed" settings - would it feel different? If it does, that's due to fins.

 

[Rickala]

Jeff told me he strongly prefers the always down configuration. Right now, as per his suggestion, I have the outer fins up half way, and the inner fins down all the way, all of the time. However, even in the up at speed, I believe the fins are still down enough to make a difference at lower rpms..I have tried it both ways. With the fins (held) all the way up, I used a zip tie..There is no additional steering effort noticeable in scenarios that I've mentioned. ..

 

[swatski]

I am curious about the steering resistance you feel... In my case the addition of FANGS made steering very light at cruising speeds.

 

[Rickala]

Yes, once on plane the steering feels light..

 

[Rickala]

Could you post pictures of the fins and fangs installed? I have not tried them but understand the fangs should make steering easier.

 

[Bruce]

@Cobra Jet Steering LLC, do you have any tips for Rickala?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I believe we have had some phone conversations about this oddity recently. I did suggest he check the nozzle alignment but I doubt that would be an issue at slow speeds, quite honestly I have few ideas as to Why this would occur at slow speed of all things. I would suggest confirming the play in the big flat washer on the bottom bolt of the nozzle it should spin free if it is bound up something is wrong on the nozzle installation. Keep in mind the fangs work best to make the nozzle turn easy at speed so I can see speed making it easier if the bottom bolt and assembly are binding up due to an install error, but this is the only thing I can come up with since he ruled out the cables or helm. I have heard of high speed steering resistance but never low speed with this system so he may want to get the detailed instruction sheet for installing the side force stabilizer and check the install closely. Also confirm that the correct .250 thickness bushings are installed on the bottom of the nozzle , occasionally people mix those up with the ones for the fins that are .218 thick, if those are mixed up there would not be enough play for the nozzle to turn freely and it could create resistance, also the factory spacer must be installed in the nozzle first or that will cause resistance when turning the nozzle so the correct installation of the side force stabilizer is important for everything to move smoothly and freely .

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Do you have a pic of your gates with the throttles fully engaged?

Maybe the gates are not opening enough and causing the stream to deflect onto the fins or crossmember.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

pictures may be deceiving but it looks like you may have over tightened the steering cable ends where they attach to the steering arm of the nozzle, there should be some clearance between the inside of those your parts look very tight and the bolt is way past the end of the nylock nut.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Good eyes Jeff! That yoke seems to be pinched in a little. I made that same mistake before myself.

 

[McMark]

My boat steered easily at any speed with the cobra jets.

 

[atompa]

I also reached out to Jeff regarding additional resistance after installing the fangs... I've since taken them off and put them on my tool bench, unsure what to do from here. I too can turn my jets easily so I believe my cables are still 'OK'.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I really need some good pictures to see what is going on as for Rickala I also just noticed your anodes are probably causing an issue, try running with those huge anodes removed and see if your issue goes away.